1854.] Examination and Analysis of tioo specimens of Ava Coal. 715 



from Ava (Journal Vol. I. 1832) exactly resembling both these 

 coals, and Mr. Jas. Prinsep, Vol. VII. p. 198, gives an analysis of 

 a jet coal which is there entitled as, " From Kyendwen River ;" 

 and that specimen which closely resembles No. I. is labelled, " From 

 the sand banlcs Kyendwen River ;" so that the banks of this river 

 are probably the locality of both of them. Both are moreover only 

 "top coals" and thus we are no doubt giving an examination of 

 inferior specimens to what the deeper beds will furnish when mined. 



This coal is of the class which would be called semi-bituminous 

 or steam-coal at home. It is tolerably tough and in alternating 

 bright shining and dull laminae, the proportion of the dull ones 

 being much the largest. The bright laminae are brittle and cannot 

 be cut, the dull ones yield to the knife like jet-coal. 

 . It flames well but does not melt, and its fine powder has the 

 peculiar quality of coking to a tough and almost flinty coke in the 

 crucible, which requires smart pounding to pulverise it. 



The coke of the coal itself is of a bright steel grey, and with a 

 close texture, the coal swelling a little and separating at the laminae 

 but retaining partially its shape. It burns very slowly, even when 

 pulverised, and the ash is of a pale fawn red. 



The smoke of the gases has the agreeable smell of good bitumin- 

 ous coal. 



It is nearly free. from sulphur of which there are only traces. 

 Its specific gravity is, 1.28 



Its contents in 100 parts are : 



"Water (by independent experiment, 4.25 



Gaseous, 26.50 



Carbon, 67.85 



Ash (pale red), 1.40 



100.00 



This coal has then, evidently, all the properties of a first rate 

 steam-coal; and I place below the analysis of two of the choice 

 Welsh steam (red ash) coals. 



